slow 1 of 3

1
2
as in dumb
not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily we love our bulldog though he's a little slower than our German shepherd

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
4
as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest the first half of the movie is slow, but then it gets exciting

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

slow

2 of 3

verb

slow

3 of 3

adverb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word slow distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of slow are delay, detain, retard, and slacken. While all these words mean "to cause to be late or behind in movement or progress," slow and slacken also imply a reduction of speed, slow often suggesting deliberate intention.

medication slowed the patient's heart rate

In what contexts can delay take the place of slow?

In some situations, the words delay and slow are roughly equivalent. However, delay implies a holding back, usually by interference, from completion or arrival.

bad weather delayed our arrival

When would detain be a good substitute for slow?

The meanings of detain and slow largely overlap; however, detain implies a holding back beyond a reasonable or appointed time.

unexpected business had detained her

Where would retard be a reasonable alternative to slow?

While in some cases nearly identical to slow, retard suggests reduction of speed without actual stopping.

language barriers retarded their progress

When can slacken be used instead of slow?

The synonyms slacken and slow are sometimes interchangeable, but slacken suggests an easing up or relaxing of power or effort.

on hot days runners slacken their pace

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of slow
Adjective
In this slow season at the plant, any out‑of‑the‑ordinary event that disrupted the day‑to‑day monotony was always fodder for factory‑floor gossip among the chatty girls of the parts‑polishing work team. Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2025 The pork frog on a weighted weedless hook should be retrieved at slow to medium speed, parallel to a steep bank and three to six feet out. Anthony A. Ciuffa, Outdoor Life, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
The third-string rookie quarterback out of Texas has flashed in spurts in camp, but his 5-of-18 outing with two fumbles lost Sunday is enough to tell everyone to slow down. David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 11 Aug. 2025 Freezing keeps food safe by slowing the movement of molecules, causing bacteria to enter a dormant stage. Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025
Adverb
That capped off what was the latest stellar encounter between Cena and Punk, who are past their prime and certainly a step slower but are still able to create magical moments that matter. Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025 For practical dating advice: Start slow and be kind to yourself. Anna Pulley, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for slow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slow
Adjective
  • Spend some time strolling the picturesque streets, making leisurely stops in any places that strike your fancy—from inviting cafes to buzzy bars.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2025
  • What to do: Spend your morning going on a leisurely stroll through the Charleston City Market, which is filled with dozens of local artisans.
    DeAnna Taylor, Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Ratajkowski has been fighting the stereotype of the dumb model from the beginning of her career.
    Daniel Jackson, Allure, 18 July 2017
  • Ninety nine percent of all NFL players are explicitly not dumb.
    Andy Benoit, The MMQB, 10 July 2017
Adjective
  • The goal is to evolve The Really Useful Group from a sleepy theater company into an entertainment powerhouse with a hand in everything from gaming to movies to consumer products.
    Brent Lang, Variety, 13 Aug. 2025
  • By the time morning arrives in the sleepy hamlet of Maybrook, Pennsylvania only one student, Alexy Lilly (Cary Christopher) remains.
    Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Stick with boring investments to avoid big mistakes from get-rich-quick schemes.
    Jonathan I. Shenkman, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
  • Hosting every summit in a big European city would alleviate much of the pressure to re-invent the wheel every time with respect to hotels, transit, and other boring but essential logistical details.
    Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • That's when the teen reached through the window to unlock a car door from the outside, causing the man to suddenly brake.
    Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 8 Aug. 2025
  • Piastri even locked up momentarily under braking at Turn 1 in the penultimate lap, but failed to overtake Norris.
    Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Aug. 2025
Adverb
  • Russia is gaining territory, slowly; Ukraine is losing territory, grudgingly.
    Richard Stengel, Time, 16 Aug. 2025
  • Size also influences how quickly or slowly the compost takes.
    Lauren David, Southern Living, 15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • No Broward program can possibly be as wasteful and downright stupid as the Office of Election Crimes and Security (OECS).
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2025
  • On the other side of the ledger, Jaguar did a stupid, and seriously WOKE advertisement, THAT IS A TOTAL DISASTER!
    Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Byron Black, who was convicted of the 1988 murders of his girlfriend Angela Clay and her two young daughters, ages 6 and 9, was pronounced dead at 10:43 a.m.
    Christina Coulter, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
  • Because the 2000 declaration is a regulation, Zeldin can’t just pronounce it dead.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Slow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slow. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

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